NEWS

ELEANOR LOUISE BUTT ‘ALL THAT WHICH SINGS’ AT BURRINJA CULTURAL CENTRE, UPWEY

October 5, 2023

All That Which Sings | Eleanor Louise Butt 7 Oct – 19 Nov | Burrinja Gallery ‘As the image pulls me deep inside of it, a special kind of silence descends, trapping me in its dark spaces and channels of light; releasing its secrets as it carries me across surfaces and down through layers. And then that eternal struggle, as I try to pull back from its hold (its trance-inducing revelry, its devilry).’ Dr Jan Bryant, 2022 Eleanor Louise Butt is a Kallista-based contemporary artist whose practice is grounded in studio experimentation. Taking painting as her primary medium, she employs…

ELEANOR LOUISE BUTT ACQUIRED BY ARTBANK

September 27, 2023

Eleanor Louise Butt’s painting ‘Unfolding Abstraction, thinking three-dimensionally’ exhibited in Nicholas Thompson Gallery’s Spring1883 presentation has been acquired by Artbank . Artbank is part of the Australian Government Office for the Arts. For 40 years Artbank has supported Australia’s contemporary art sector. Established in 1980 by the Australian Government, Artbank’s two core objectives are to provide direct support to Australian contemporary artists through the acquisition of their work and to promote the value of Australian contemporary art to the broader public. . “This painting refences abstract forms from my small bronze sculptures, as well as gestures from a pencil drawing…

CELESTE CHANDLER 1977 – 2023

September 24, 2023

It is with great sadness that Nicholas Thompson Gallery marks the passing of Celeste Chandler. In addition to being an exceptionally talented painter, Celeste was intelligent, humourous, generous and a delight to work with since joining the gallery in its first year. She was passionate about art, devoted to her family and inspiring in her battle with her illness. She will be greatly missed by so many. Our thoughts are with Andy, Anouk and Celeste’s family. Melbourne based, Tasmanian born painter Celeste Chandler completed a Masters degree in Fine Art at the University of Tasmania (2003) and a PhD at…

MARTIN GEORGE FINALIST IN 2024 BAYSIDE PAINTING PRIZE

March 20, 2024

Martin George is a finalist in the 2024 Bayside Painting Prize . Established in 2015, the Bayside Painting Prize is one of the most generous non-acquisitive painting prizes in the country. The finalist exhibition brings together a broad range of artists, both established and lesser known, whose varied approaches to the painted medium conveys the breadth and diversity of painting in Australia today. . Image: Martin George 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 2024 acrylic on linen 76 x 101.5cm Photo Photographic Record, Melbourne

SALLY ANDERSON FINALIST IN 2024 BAYSIDE PAINTING PRIZE

March 20, 2024

Sally Anderson is a finalist in the 2024 Bayside Painting Prize . Established in 2015, the Bayside Painting Prize is one of the most generous non-acquisitive painting prizes in the country. The finalist exhibition brings together a broad range of artists, both established and lesser known, whose varied approaches to the painted medium conveys the breadth and diversity of painting in Australia today. . Image: Sally Anderson 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨𝙞𝙖, 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙡 𝙑𝙚𝙞𝙡 𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙚, 𝙋𝘽 𝙣𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙝 2024 acrylic on polycotton 168 x 137cm

TAI SNAITH FEATURED IN THE DESIGN FILES: STUDIO VISIT

March 8, 2024

Artist Tai Snaith Paints From A Beautiful ‘Haunted’ House In Fitzroy North Since Melbourne-based artist Tai Snaith started her art studies back in the early 2000s, she’s exhibited paintings, collage, ceramic sculptures and public art. But for her upcoming exhibition, Tai has turned her full attention to painting and ‘a fortuitous happy accident’ led her to an abandoned Victorian worker’s cottage that’s become her new art studio. Tai says it’s equal parts grimy, decrepit, and enchanting, complete with a haunting energy she’s channelled into her emotive paintings. Step inside! Written by Christina Karras Photography by Amelia Stanwix Melbourne-based artist Tai Snaith…

JAMES DRINKWATER IN CONVERSATION WITH VAULT EDITOR ALISON KUBLER AT THE MELBOURNE ART FAIR

March 7, 2024

James Drinkwater in conversation with Alison Kubler Melbourne Art Fair, VAULT stand Sunday 25 February, 12pm Alison Kubler Today we’re going to talk a little bit about painting and what James has been up to, and the new monograph I love you more than paintings 2008 – 2024 with has been launched at the Melbourne Art Fair by Nicholas Thompson Gallery. James how about you start by telling us, because you’ve been overseas, where have you been and how has that influenced your recent work? James Drinkwater Yes, it seems like we’re doing a lot of travel at the moment.…

NICOLE KELLY FINALIST IN THE 2024 MUSWELLBROOK ART PRIZE

March 6, 2024

Nicole Kelly is a finalist in the 2024 Muswellbrook Art Prize with her work ‘Solastalgia’ . Established in 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize is one of the most celebrated prizes for painting in regional Australia. Astute adjudication of the Prize over the years has yielded an excellent collection of modern and contemporary Australian paintings, works on paper and ceramics from the Post War period of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century, with the winning acquisitive works forming the nucleus of what is now known as the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection. . Image Nicole Kelly Solastalgia 2023 ceramic, terra…

ELEANOR LOUISE BUTT FINALIST IN THE 2024 MUSWELLBROOK ART PRIZE

March 6, 2024

Eleanor Louise Butt is a finalist in the 2024 Muswellbrook Art Prize with her painting ‘Yellow and Brown Energetic Abstraction’. . Established in 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize is one of the most celebrated prizes for painting in regional Australia. Astute adjudication of the Prize over the years has yielded an excellent collection of modern and contemporary Australian paintings, works on paper and ceramics from the Post War period of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century, with the winning acquisitive works forming the nucleus of what is now known as the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection. . Image Eleanor…

SUZANNE ARCHER FINALIST IN THE 2024 ADELAIDE PERRY PRIZE FOR DRAWING

March 6, 2024

Suzanne Archer is exhibited as a finalist in the 2024 Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing with her work ‘The fish out of water’. . The Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing is an acquisitive art award among the most significant of its kind in the country. Named in honour of respected painter, printmaker and draughtswoman, Miss Adelaide Elizabeth Perry (1891-1973) who taught Visual Arts at PLC Sydney from 1930 to 1962, the Prize attracts submissions from around the country. From over 400 entries, Emeritus Professor Sasha Grishin, art historian, art critic and curator, selected this year’s Perry Prize shortlist. . Image…

PIA MURPHY EXHIBITION FEATURED IN ‘THE DESIGN FILES’

February 29, 2024

See Pia Murphy’s ‘Garden Gravity’ Opening At Nicholas Thompson Gallery The artist’s indefinable oil paintings are on show at the Collingwood gallery until March 16. The oil paintings of Pia Murphy seamlessly combine abstract forms and recognisable figures across a vivid colour palette found in nature. Her latest body of work, Garden Gravity, is particularly inspired by the artist’s relationship to her home garden. While created without a preconceived outcome in mind, the 17 works in this new exhibition visually express how Pia’s garden relates to both her art practice and daily life. ‘I think it’s like tapping into some ancient knowledge,’…

JAMES DRINKWATER IN ART GUIDE’S BEST OF THE MELBOURNE ART FAIR 2024

February 25, 2024

Best of Melbourne Art Fair 2024 What to see at this year’s Melbourne Art Fair, which features contributions from over 60 galleries. While on the topic of paintings, there are some great examples to mention this year, including Jan Murphy Gallery‘s (B2) presentation of Guida Maestri, accompanied by an array of red wax-cast elements as wall fixtures and floor installations; Nicholas Thompson Gallery‘s (K1) solo of Newcastle-based James Drinkwater; and Amber Boardman’s Retro Enchantment showing at Sophie Gannon Gallery (C5).